Bobby Brown (Goes Down) is one of the most famous and at the same time the most controversial songs of the American musician Frank Zappa. The author, not embarrassed in expressions, described such a controversial character in it that the composition was not allowed to be rotated on American radio stations. At the same time, it became a major hit in many European countries, for whose inhabitants English is not their native language.
Story and Meaning of the Bobby Brown Song
The hero of the song is a wealthy student Bobby Brown from the so-called “golden youth”. His future was painted in the brightest colors, until he met the lesbian feminist Freddie, who broke the psyche of the “major” and forced him to radically change his preferences in terms of sexual relations.
Since Blimey is sometimes read by underage visitors, we will not explain the words of the song in detail. Read Bobby Brown’s translation and figure out for yourself what the author wanted to say.
Release and achievements
Bobby Brown was released as a single from Sheik Yerbouti (1979), the most commercially successful album in Frank Zappa’s discography. It rose high on the charts in several European countries.
The composition was especially popular in Sweden. In the homeland of the musician, the track did not become a hit, because it was not even played on the radio.
Once Zappa was invited to the program Nightflight on Swedish radio, where the host expressed bewilderment at the fact that the Bobby Brown song is so in demand among local music lovers. In response, Frank said:
Let’s be honest about this. Words cannot hurt you, and there is nothing in this song that can offend anyone’s religious feelings. You know, this song is about real things. And if you are going to live in the world and interact with its realities, you should be prepared for what is really happening. The Bobby Brown story may not be something that happens every day in Sweden, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there were a few Bobby Browns here. And someone should write about them.
There are several popular misconceptions associated with this Frank Zappa song. The most common myth is that the composition is related to Whitney Houston’s husband. In fact, the track was written when the musician and husband of the famous singer Bobby Brown was not even ten years old, so this version of the interpretation of the meaning of the Bobby Brown song does not stand up to criticism.
Bobby Brown (Goes Down) Video
Check out the music video for Bobby Brown by Frank Zappa.
Interesting Facts
- Bobby Brown was only included on the European version of Frank Zappa’s greatest hits Strictly Commercial. In the American version of the album, the track Tell Me You Love Me takes its place.
Bobby Brown (Goes Down) Lyrics by Frank Zappa
Hey there, people, I’m Bobby Brown
They say I’m the cutest boy in town
My car is fast, my teeth is shiney
I tell all the girls they can kiss my heinie
Here I am at a famous school
I’m dressin’ sharp’n’ I’m acting cool
I got a cheerleader here wants to help with my paper
Let her do all the work’n’ maybe later I’ll rape her
Oh God I am the American dream
I don’t think I’m too extreme
An’ I’m a handsome SOB
I’m gonna get a good job’n’ be real rich
Women’s Liberation
Came creepin’ all across the nation
I tell you people, I was not ready
When I f***ed this dyke by the name of Freddie
She made a little speech then
Aw, she tried to make me say when
She had my balls in a vice, but she left the dick
I guess it’s still hooked on, but now it shoots too quick
Oh God I am the American dream
But now I smell like Vaseline
An’ I’m a miserable sonofa bitch
Am I a boy or a lady? I don’t know which
So I went out’n’ bought me a leisure suit
I jingle my change, but I’m still kinda’ cute
Got a job doin’ radio promo
An’ none of the jocks can even tell I’m a gay
Finally me’n’a friend
Sorta drifted along into S&M
I can take about an hour on the tower of power
Long as I gets a little golden shower
Oh God I am the American dream
With a spindle up my butt till it makes me scream
An’ I’ll do anything to get ahead
I lay awake nights sayin’, “Thank you, Fred”
Oh God, Oh God, I’m so fantastic!
Thanks to Freddie, I’m a sexual spastic
And my name is Bobby Brown
Watch me now; I’m going down
And my name is Bobby Brown
Watch me now; I’m going down
And my name is Bobby Brown
Watch me now; I’m going down
A special device for having love.
